Optometrists V.S Ophthalmologist: Understanding the Key Differences

Image from Optometrists.org—“Should I See an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist?” by Dr. Russel Lazarus.

Many people assume all eye doctors are the same, but in reality, there are important distinctions between the different professionals who care for our eyes. Knowing these differences can be essential to your health because choosing the right doctor could mean the difference between proper treatment and serious complications, like going blind. While both optometrists and ophthalmologists play important roles in eye care, they differ in education and training, scope of practice, and the conditions they can diagnose and treat.

Firstly, the length and level of education required to become an optometrist differ from those required to become an ophthalmologist. To become an optometrist, it typically takes 8 years: a four-year undergraduate degree and then a four-year Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree. Some aspiring optometrists may be required to complete a one-year residency as well. Meanwhile, to become an ophthalmologist, one must obtain a four-year undergraduate degree (it is recommended the degree be in a premedical major), a medical school degree (either a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree or a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) degree), then complete a one-year internship, and finally study medical and surgical training in eye care for three years. This comes down to a minimum of 12 years of post-secondary education. Both professions require many years of hard work and dedication, but ophthalmologists require a bit more.

Furthermore, because of their different educations, optometrists and ophthalmologists have different scopes of practice. Optometrists can conduct vision tests, eye exams, prescribe and sell glasses, contact lenses, and low vision aids, identify eye and vision problems, and prescribe eye disease medication. When you go to the eye doctor for a checkup, you are generally being examined by an optometrist. Ophthalmologists, however, can do all of the above and more, like performing eye surgery and even treating eye diseases and poor vision caused by non-eye-related conditions. In summary, ophthalmologists have a wider scope of practice than optometrists do. 

Lastly, optometrists can diagnose a patient with common eye and vision issues such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism, double vision, a lazy eye, colour blindness, eye infections, glaucoma, cataracts, retina issues, and age-related eye problems like presbyopia and macular degeneration. On top of being able to diagnose and treat everything that an optometrist can, ophthalmologists can also diagnose and treat posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), corneal disease, diabetes-related retinopathy, strabismus, and serious eye injuries. Fortunately, as long as a patient is not suffering from something more grievous, there is generally no need to see an ophthalmologist, and a trip to the optometrist will work fine.

In conclusion, while both optometrists and ophthalmologists play vital roles in maintaining eye health, their differences in education, scope of practice, and ability to diagnose and treat certain conditions set them apart. Optometrists are well-equipped to handle routine eye care and common vision problems, whereas ophthalmologists have advanced medical and surgical training to manage more complex or serious eye conditions. Understanding these distinctions helps patients make informed decisions about which eye care professional to see, ensuring they receive the right treatment for their specific needs.

Sources:

"The 3 Types of Eye Doctors: Optician vs. Optometrist vs. Ophthalmologist." International Medicaid, 15 March 2022, https://medicalaid.org/blog/the-3-types-of-eye-doctors-optician-vs-optometrist-vs-ophthalmologist/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22925749898&gbraid=0AAAAAC6rlDIUdvxwwjP6lv031UD0MO7Kx&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwsrFBhD6ARIsAPnUFD00dzRNuarBwEY5VLewdcyzFO0bVtHT-7MQEjvQv6KG5jHLXsjhfwEaAkKsEALw_wcB.

"Optometrist." Cleveland Clinic, 12 September 2024, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24219-optometrist.

"Ophthalmologist." Cleveland Clinic, 16 July 2025, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22159-ophthalmologist.